Is Wednesday a "must win" game in Indy?

ASK IRA:

March 25, 2014|By Ira Winderman, SunSentinel.com

Q: So, is this hand the Heat play? Don’t get me wrong, I love this team and absolutely believe we have the best starting five in the NBA, but I worry about our bench. What if Wade or Shane Battier or Birdman, gets hurt? Another defensive player would have been nice. -- Chet.

A: Sure, more might have been better, but the playoffs are when the rotation tightens. At times, it's easy to overlook that Udonis Haslem, Rashard Lewis and James Jones are still here. There are options available.

Q: It looks like the Heat aren't getting anybody at the deadline. -- Jeffrey.

A: There is no deadline. While Saturday is the deadline for players to be released to be playoff eligible elsewhere, any player who has not been in the league this season or already has been out of the league still can sign at any point until the final day of the regular season to be playoff eligible. There are plenty of veterans out there waiting for a call, sort of like the one the Wizards just made to Drew Gooden. If the Heat have to have someone, they'll find someone. The only real problem is if someone gets hurt during the playoffs. Then there practically is no recourse.